Light switch



May 17, 1949. H, RATH 2,470,643

' LIGHT swITcH Filed Aug.4 10, 1945 INVENToR. HERMAN P RATH Patented May 17, 1949 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE LIGHT SWITCH Herman P. Rath, North Bergen, N. J. Application August 10, 1945, Serial No. 610,139

(Cl. 20o-155) 7 claims. l

This invention relates to switches adapted for use along electric conductors, for example, electric cord extensions to electrical apparatus oi various kinds and classes to provide along the conductor a means for opening and closing the electric circuit. More particularly, the invention deals with a casing or body portion within which is a rotatable switch'element, the element and body portion being tubular in form to permit passage of an electric cord or circuit wires therethrough, and further to the provision of means for securing the body portion to a fixture or other support, such for example, as a lamp base to control the electric circuit. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the `accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views; and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through one form of switch device which I employ, illustrating the same attached to a support.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of device; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

In Figs. l and 2 of the drawing I have shown one form of switch device comprising a, main cup shaped switch casing I having a reduced externally threaded tube extension II at one end thereof upon which is a threaded disc nut I2 to-clamp a suitable support I3 upon the casing I0. Rotatably mounted in the casing Ill is a switch element I4 having a long tubular shank I5 rotatably supported in the tube II and terminating at its end in a roughened. finger portion I6, facilitating rotation thereof. The linger portion I6 may be a knurling or similar surface. The element I4 has a ring like base I1 upon the inner surface of which is suitably supported a. yoke shaped contact I8 having spring contact' ends I9 and 20 adapted to engage fixed contacts 2l and 22 embedded in a fixed disc 23 pressed, cemented or otherwise secured in the casing IIJ, and seating upon the shoulder 24. The contacts 2| and 22 have terminal ends 25 and 28 projecting below the lower surface of the disc and into the chamber 2l of the casing I0, facilitating attachment of ends 28 and 28 of one wire of the two circuit wires of the electric cord or conductor.

The conductor I8 also has a central bead or nub 3| which is adapted to seat in rounded sockets 32 and 33 of the disc 23. The contacts 2l and 22 are also rounded to receive the bead or projection 3| so as to control positioning of the switch element in the off and on position. The element I5 may be rotated in either direction;

degrees, the switch will be on the oi `position,.

breaking the circuit. The switch element may also assume an on position at one hundred `and eighty degrees to the position shown in Fig. 2. The xed disc 23 includes a long sleeve or bear ing portion 34 fitting freely in the switch element I5, but preferably iitting snugly upon the conductor 30.- The illustration of the coupling of the wire ends 28 and 29 with the contacts or terminals 25 and 26 is diagrammatically shown, connections here being preferably made by soldering to establish positive contact. The various parts of the switch device aside from the electrical contact members, and particularly with respect to the parts l5, 23 and 24 will be composed of suitable vinsulating material. It is also preferred that the casing Il) be composed of such materials, suitable plastic materials being preferred.

The chamber 21 is closed by a, threaded or otherwise secure cover plate 35, which plate may also .be made to t snugly about the conductor 30. In assemblage, the electrical connections with the terminals 25 and 26 may be made outside of the casing and thereafter the disc 23 inserted in the casing together with the switch element I5, after which the cover 35 is inserted in position.

In Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, I have shown a slight modification wherein the switch device is disposed somewhere along the conductor 30 and is supported solely by the conductor. Here the casing of the device is formed of two parts 3B and 31 threaded or otherwise secured together, as at 38. In these parts are disposed a switch element I5 substantially similar to the element I5, and a. disc 23 substantially similar to the disc 23, enclosing the tube extension 34'.

In Figs. 3 and 4, the contacts 39 and 40 have looped or semi-circular terminal ends 39' and 40 disposed in the chamber 4I and in which are adapted to be fitted the ends 28', 23' to one of the circuit wires ofthe conductor 38'. The

other wire of the conductor may be looped, as

seen at 42 around a pin 43 supported on the 3 disc 23' to aid in retaining the conductor 30' against rotation in the tube 34'.

With the constructionshown in Figs. 3 and 4, the casing part 36 has an inwardly extendlng annular bearing portion 44 which is' adapted to compress the U-shaped terminal ends 39' and I' in nrmly and positively securing the wire ends 28 and 29 therein. In some instances, the wire ends may be soldered to the terminals to insure positive electrical connections. In any event, the bearings 44 will serve as added supports in maintaining positive gripping action upon the wire ends, preventing any possible pull apart of these ends should any friction prevail interfering with free rotation of the switch element |5' in the casing part 3l. The casing part 3l has at its greatest diameter a roughened gripper surface 45 to firmly grip this part of the casing in the hand as the gripper surface I6 of the element i5 is engaged by the lingers of the other hand in rotation of the switch element. No specific reference is 4 made to the element I8 in Figs. 3 and 4, but this element is identical in the construction shown in Figs.1 and 2, and no repetition of description need be made in this connection.

In both forms of devices, the switch elements y are mounted for free rotation in the casing parts andcan be rotated in any direction 1n opening and closing the circuit through the conductors. Devices of this type and kind will find their usefullness in all types of conductors to control operation of electrical devices in wide spaced relationship to the switch, and further provides y in commotion with electrical appliances of various types and kinds as we1l as electric fixtures, such as lamps. a very practic'al type of control switch which may be positioned at a readily accessible point on a fixture or appliance. In all instances, the conductor passes through the switch device, the latter being made of tubular structure for this purpose.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A switch device comprising a pair of tubular members through the axis of one of which an electric cord is adapted to pass, one member being fixed on the cord and including an enlarged casing forming a chamber around one end thereof, the other member being rotatable on the rst memberv and-in said chamber, acover detachable with said casing and4 having an aperture registering with the bore of the xed tubular member, said flxed tubular member having spaced electric contacts extending into said chamber, the ends of one conductor ofthe cord being adapted to extend radially into said chamber for engagement with said electric contacts, the spaced contacts normally breaking the lcircuit berhaving spaced electric contacts extending into said chamber, .the ends of one conductor of the cord being adapted to extend radially into said chamber for engagement with said electric contacts, the spacedcontacts normally breaking the circuit through said conductor, said rotatable member having in said chamber' a spring contact adapted to bridge said spaced contacts in placing the same in electric communication in one position of said rotatable member,v and means supporting the rotatable member in closed circuit position.

3. A switch device comprising a pair of tubular members through the axis of one of which an electric cord is adapted to pass, one member being fixed on the cord and including an enlarged casing forming a chamber around one end thereof, the other member being rotatable on the rst member and in said. chamber. a cover detachable with said casing and having an aperture registering with the bore of the fixed tubular member, said xed tubular member having spaced electric contacts extending into said chamber, the ends of one conductor of the cord being adapted to extend radially into said chamber for engagement with said electric contacts, the spaced contacts normally breaking the circuit through said conductor, said rotatable member having in said chamber a spring contact adapted to bridge said spaced contacts in placing the same in electric communication in one position of said rotatable member, means supporting the rotatable member in closed circuit position, means supporting the rotatable member in closed circuit position, and means including said last named means for supporting the rotatable member with the spring contact thereof in open circuit position.

4. A switch device comprising a pair of tubular members through the axis of one' of which an electric cord is adapted to pass, one member being fixed on the cord and including an enlarged casing forming a chamber around one end thereof, the other member being rotatable on the rst member and in said chamber, a cover detachable with said casing and having an aperture registering with the bore of the fixed tubular member, said xed tubular member having spaced electric contacts extending into said chamber, the ends of one conductor of the c'ord being adapted to extend radially into said chamber for engagement with said electric contacts, the spaced contacts normally breaking the circuit through said conductor, said rotatable member having in said chamber a spring contact adapted to bridge said spaced contacts in placing the same in electric communication in one position of-said rotatable member, means sup- A porting the rotatable member in closed circuit through^saidconductor,and said rotatable member having in said chambera spring contact adapted to bridge said spaced contacts in placing the same inv electric communication ,in one position of said rotatable member. A

2. A switch device comprising a pair of tubular members through the axis vof one of which an electric cord is adapted to pass, one member being xed on the cord and including an enlarged casing forming a chamber around one end thereof, the other. member being rotatable on the first member and in said chamber, a cover detachable with said casing and having an aperture registering with the bore of the fixed tubular member, said iixed tubular memposition, means supporting the rotatable member in closed circuit position, means including said last named means for supporting the rotatable member with the spring contact thereof in open circuit position, said casing having a reduced 4threaded portion encircling part of said rotatable member, and means coupled with said threaded portion for mounting the casing on a support.

5. A switch device comprising a pair of tubular members through the axis of one of which an electric cord is adaptedto pass, one member being fixed on the cord and including an enlarged casing forming a chamber around one end thereof, the other member being rotatable on the first member and in said chamber, a cover detachable with said casing and having an aperture registering with position, ductor ends in engagement the bore of the nxed tubular member, said iixed tubular member having spaced electric contacts extending into said chamber, the ends of one conductor of the cord being adapted to extend radially into said chamber for engagement with said electric contacts, the spaced contacts normally breaking the circuit through said conductor, said rotatY able member having in said chamber a sprint contact adapted to bridge said spaced contacts in placing the same in electric communication in one position of said rotatable member, means supporting the rotatable member'in closed circuit position, means including said last named means for supporting the rotatable member with the spring contact thereof in open circuit and said cover firmly retaining the conwith said contacts.

6. A switch device comprising a pair of tubular members through the axis of one of which an electric cord is adapted to pass, one member being -xed on the cord and including an enlarged casing forming a chamber around one end thereof, the other member being rotatable on the first member and in said chamber, a cover detachable with said casing and having an aperture registering .with the bore of the ilxed tubular member, said iixed tubular member having spaced electric contacts extending into said chamber, the ends of one conductor of the cord being adapted to extend radially into said chamber for engagement with said electric contacts, the spaced contacts normally breaking the circuit through said conductor,

said rotatable member having in said chamber a spring contact adapted to bridge said spaced `contacts in placing the same in electric communication in one position of said rotatable member, and said rotatable member having a linger grip portion beyond the limits on the casing.

7. A switch device comprising a pair of tubular members through the axis of one of which 6 an electricvcordis adapted to pass, one member being ilxed on the cordand including an enlargedcasing forming a chamber around one end thereof, the other member being rotatable on the Virst member and in said chamber, a cover detachable with said casing and having an aperture registering with the bore of the fixed tubular member.' said ilxed tubular member having spaced electric contacts extending into said chamber, thel ends of one conductor of the cord being adapted toextend radially into said chamber for engagement with said electric contacts, the spaced contacts normally breaking the circuit through said conductor, said ro tatable member having in said chamber a spring contact adapted to bridge said spaced contacts in placing the same in electric communication in one .position of said rotatable member, and means on said fixed member adapted to engage a looped portion of a companion conductor passed through said member to aid in retaining the xed member against rotation on said conductors.

HERMAN P. RATH.

REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS' Name Date Barnes Sept. 26, 1882 Wagner Feb. 28, 1911 Miller Feb. 5, 1929 Huppert Sept. 17, 1929 Rood et al. Sept. 10, 1935 Zuckerman Feb. 16, 1937 Belcher Nov. 15, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS ,Country Date Germany Jan. 1928 Number 

